Homecoming parade

SMU celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first classes on campus with the 2015 Centennial Homecoming Sept. 23-27, 2015.

The Centennial theme, “Hundredth on the Hilltop,” honors the University’s history and the achievements of its students, alumni and faculty.

Hosted and organized by the SMU Student Foundation, the special events will include a concert and midnight countdown to SMU’s 100th birthday on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

On the anniversary day of Thursday, Sept. 24, the University will gather for special celebrations including a worship service, Centennial concert and Convocation, a State Fair of Texas-inspired picnic, and the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Traditional activities with a Centennial twist will include the Homecoming parade, tailgating on The Boulevard followed by the SMU-James Madison football game in Ford Stadium.

• Pealing of bells at Highland Park United Methodist Church and churches through Dallas-Fort Worth and the state of Texas in honor of the SMU Centennial, noon.

• Centennial Picnic with a State Fair of Texas theme, featuring State Fair foods, carnival games and a greeting from Big Tex, noon, South Lawn, Clements Hall. Hosted by Aramark and open to all SMU community members and guests attending the Centennial Commemoration. [Centennial Picnic]

Friday, Sept. 25, 2015

• Centennial Stampede of Service, with 100 SMU students participating in service projects at 10 local nonprofit organizations including schools, libraries, food pantries and counseling centers representing SMU’s commitment to community service, beginning at 11:30 a.m. [More about #SMUServes]

• Pigskin Revue, “A Century in Revue” – the 82nd edition of the annual variety show featuring SMU students in music, dance and comedy acts, with the Mustang Band playing new music as well as favorites from the past 100 years, 8:15 p.m., McFarlin Auditorium. Tickets are free for faculty, staff and students with SMU IDs, with no limit. Get yours at the Mustang Band table outside Hughes-Trigg Student Center. [More about Pigskin Revue]

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015

• Tailgating on the Boulevard featuring Mustang Alley, the Mustang Walk to Ford Stadium, the Mustang Band and Cheer march, and food and beverage service, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Bishop Boulevard. [A guide to The Boulevard, including a map]

• Homecoming Parade with the theme “Hundredth on the Hilltop,” in which students bring to life a themes from a past Homecoming beginning at 3 p.m. on Bishop Boulevard. [Homecoming Parade info]

• Homecoming Football Game featuring the SMU Mustangs vs. the James Madison Dukes, free Peruna bobbleheads for the first 5,000 attendees, a Ford Mustang giveaway courtesy of Bob Tomes Ford, a Centennial halftime performance by the Mustang Band, and a postgame Birthday Salute to SMU, 6 p.m., Ford Stadium. [More about the SMU Homecoming game and Birthday Salute]

Well-known for his character “Kevin” on the Emmy-winning television series “The Office,” actor Brian Baumgartner ’95 is making the trip back to SMU for Homecoming weekend.

SMU celebrates the Year of the Faculty during 2014 Homecoming Nov. 13-16, honoring the contributions of the University’s esteemed faculty members as teachers and researchers. The Homecoming parade theme, “Dynamic Duos: Better Together,” salutes powerful partnerships, including SMU’s relationship with Dallas and the pairing of SMU students and faculty.

Saturday’s events begin with actor and alumnus Brian Baumgartner ’95 leading the traditional Homecoming parade, with tailgating on The Boulevard followed by the traditional football game at Ford Stadium.

Other Homecoming highlights include season openers for the SMU men’s and women’s basketball teams on Friday, Nov. 14. The 8:30 p.m. men’s game vs. Lamar is sold out, but tickets are still available for the 6 p.m. women’s game vs. Northern Colorado. For tickets visit smumustangs.com.

• Pigskin Revue, 8:15 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14 McFarlin Auditorium: the 81st edition of the annual variety show featuring SMU students in music, dance and comedy acts, with the Mustang Band playing new music as well as old favorites from past revues. Admission is free with an SMU ID or $15 without an SMU ID.

• Tailgating on the Boulevard, 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, Bishop Boulevard: The Mustang Club Tent, with catering provided by Mi Cocina, will be located at the southeast corner of Bishop and Binkley on Mustang Alley. Adult admission is $10 per person in advance and $15 cash at the tent on game day. Children 8 and under are admitted for free.

• Homecoming Parade, 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, beginning at SMU Boulevard and Bush Avenue: The 2014 parade will feature iconic duos such as Batman and Robin; Mickey and Minnie; and Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Baumgartner, known for his iconic role as Kevin Malone in the TV series “The Office,” will serve as grand marshal. The new route featuring student floats, bands and entertainment will begin at SMU Boulevard and Bush Avenue. (Parade Map)

• Homecoming Football Game, 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, Gerald J. Ford
Stadium: Cheerleaders and the Mustang Band will lead fans from The Boulevard into Ford Stadium. Halftime will include a performance by the Mustang Band, a check presentation from the SMU reunion classes and crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen. Visit smumustangs.com for tickets.

• All-University Worship, 11 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 16, Perkins Chapel: Join the SMU community at this inspirational service in Perkins Chapel and remember classmates who are no longer with us.

• Centennial Lighting, throughout the weekend: This year’s Homecoming features a new tradition of ceremonial lighting that will extend across campus each evening throughout the weekend. Homecoming 2014 will also mark the debut of the illuminated SMU Mustang featured on SMU’s East Campus Expressway Tower.

• SMU Museum Open Houses, throughout the weekend: Explore world-class art, presidential artifacts, interactive exhibits and library treasures at SMU’s Bridwell Library, Centennial Hall, DeGolyer Library, George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Heritage Hall and the Meadows Museum. All visits are complimentary during Homecoming except for the Bush Presidential Library and Museum. For tickets to the Bush Library and Museum, visit georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu.

• Reunion Gatherings, throughout the weekend: Reunion events are planned for the classes of ‘69 ’74, ’79, ’84, ’89, ’94, ‘99 ’04 and ’09. The Reunion Weekend kickoff celebration will begin on Friday, Nov. 14. Visit smu.edu/reunions for more information.

SMU Homecoming includes more events for all ages. For the full schedule, visit smu.edu/homecoming.

SMU celebrates Homecoming 2013 with events throughout the week leading to Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 25-27.

The week includes new events such as Canstruction and old favorites such as Pigskin Revue. Canstruction is a new Homecoming philanthropy event in which all participating organizations collect canned goods and build them into a structure reflecting their theme. At the completion of Homecoming Week, the cans will be donated to the North Texas Food Bank.

Pigskin Revue celebrates its 79th anniversary Friday at 8:15 p.m. in McFarlin Auditorium. Join the Mustang Band for a night of song, dance and comedy acts; call 214-SMU-BAND for ticket information.

Leading up to Saturday’s Homecoming football game against Temple will be the annual Homecoming Parade at 11 a.m. SMU alum and Academy Award-winning filmmaker and author William Joyce ’81 will lead the SMU community down Hillcrest as the parade grand marshal. Following the parade, The Boulevard will include new options for food, beverages, fun children’s activities and SMU gear — there’s something for Mustang fans of all ages!

After the Boulevard, head to Ford Stadium to watch SMU take on Temple at 2 p.m. There will be a special halftime ceremony that includes a performance by the Mustang Band, check presentation from the SMU reunion classes, presentation of video winners and the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen.

This year’s theme, “Boulevard Bound: Many Stories, One Tradition” ties into the University’s Year of the Library, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of SMU’s first library in 1913 and this year’s opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on campus.

Each organization participating in Homecoming will represent a great book that became a blockbuster film:

“It is our hope that Homecoming week will serve to remember and recognize everyone who has contributed to the legacy of SMU at a defining moment in this University’s history,” said Student Foundation Homecoming Chair Taylor Thompson.

This year the parade, which also will include Peruna IX and the Mustang Band, will feature a new viewing zone on Hillcrest Avenue with seating, an announcer and entertainment before the parade. Special outreach is being made to SMU neighbors to join the festivities, which will include a family fun area on the Boulevard.

Pigskin Revue, SMU’s oldest Homecoming tradition, will mark its 77th anniversary Friday, Nov. 4, in Umphrey Lee Center. The celebration includes a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. on the Center’s second-story patio, followed by the talent show at 8 p.m. in the Mack Ballroom.

Another Homecoming high point is the launch of the commemorative book SMU: Unbridled Vision (cover pictured at right), featuring more than 200 new photosof the Hilltop.

“As we celebrate the 100th year of our founding, it’s a pleasure to show our appreciation to the city of Dallas for competing to be the site of SMU in 1911 and for providing a supportive community through the years. SMU and Dallas have grown and prospered together, and we value that partnership,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “That’s why it’s especially gratifying to honor Mayor Rawlings as grand marshal and to add a special parade viewing area and activity section for families on the Boulevard.”